Thursday in Edinburgh – What’s On Today

Portrait Gallery Curator’s talk: Ponte City. A chance to chat to Portrait Gallery curators about current exhibitions: this month Anne Lyden, International Photography Curator, will talk about Ponte City. 5.30-6pm, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 1 Queen Street. Free and unticketed.

The Edinburgh Reporter interviewed the photographers when the exhibition was first opened:

[vimeo 113760396 w=500 h=281]

The Edinburgh Reporter NEWS Ponte City from Phyllis Stephen on Vimeo.

The Drawing Room: an informal, artist-led, drawing session, developed by a contemporary artist and reflecting concerns in that artist’s work. All materials supplied: no experience necessary. 5.30-6.45pm, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art ONE, Belford Road. Free, but booking is required: contact the Education Department on 0131 624 6410 or email education@nationalgalleries.org.

A Sycamore Sings: Danny Miller and Ancuta Nite-Doyle. Danny Miller (violin), accompanied by Ancuta Nite-Doyle on piano, plays music evocative of the First World War and the Edwardian period on the Wilfred Owen Violin, which was made in Edinburgh in 2014 as a tribute to Owen and his generation and an envoy for peace and reconciliation. The violin’s wood came from a limb of a sycamore tree growing in the grounds of Craiglockhart, where Owen and other officers came to convalesce and recover from shell-shock. With readings from Owen’s poetry by the violin’s maker, Steve Burnett, including Written in a Wood, September 1910, the words of which are glued to the inside of the instrument. 6-6.45pm, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 1 Queen Street. Free and unticketed.

Magic Carpet Minis: especially for very little ones – a trip on the Magic Carpet to explore the fantastic things in the National Museum of Scotland. 20 minutes of stories, songs and activities for children aged 0-2 years and their parents and carers (for older children, see Magic Carpet on Wednesdays). 10.30-10.50am or 11.30-11.50am today and every Thursday until 12th February 2015, meet at the Lighthouse Lens, Grand Gallery, Level 1, National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street. No advance booking required: sign up on the day at the Information Desk in the Entrance Hall. Free.

Scotland-Russia Forum: sparkling Russian/English conversation over tea and cakes. Open to all, no need to book – you will be warmly welcomed by the group. 11am, Summerhall Cafe, Summerhall. No charge apart from the cost of any food or drinks you may wish to purchase. For more information contact info@scotlandrussiaforum.org or tel: 0131 560 1486.

Barnton & Cramond Community Club: Mr Bill Simpson – The Battle of the River Forth. 2pm, Kirk Hall, Cramond Kirk, Cramond Glebe Road.

Simply Singing: a group singing songs from all around the world in 3 or 4-part harmony, purely for the joy of singing. No need to be able to read music or understand musical terminology, songs are taught by ear in the traditional way. 7-9pm, tonight and every Thursday, Lounge, Ground Floor, St Margaret’s House, 151 London Road. £4 per session.

Ecumenical Friends at St Cuthberts: Isobel Reid speaks on Mamie Martin: A Glowing Brand. 12.30-2pm, St Cuthbert’s Church Hall, 5 Lothian Road. Bring your own packed lunch, tea and coffee provided. All very welcome: £1.50 per person. Organised by Edinburgh City Centre Churches TOGETHER.